Draft EU employment legislation state of play, March 2015

Author: Mark Carley

This article lists all significant items of employment-related draft EU legislation that are currently in the legislative pipeline, or due to be proposed in the near future. It also shows proposals that have been adopted in the past six months.

Proposals that have become dormant (defined here as not having been discussed in the Council of the European Union, or subject to any other significant movement, for more than two years) are not included. The table also covers negotiations and agreements between EU-level trade union and employers' organisations, based on arts.154 and 155 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (these agreements are implemented either by EU Directives or by the national member organisations of the signatories).

For each proposal, the table provides the following information, as at 1 March 2015:

  • the full title of the proposal;
  • a reference to the issue of the Official Journal (OJ) of the European Union in which the proposal (and any subsequent revised versions) or adopted text was published. Laws appear in the Legislative ("L") series, while other instruments and proposals appear in the Communications ("C") series. Where proposals have not appeared in the OJ, the "COM" number of the document is given, where relevant;
  • where appropriate, or available, the article of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union on which the proposal is based;
  • the proposal's submission to the Council of the EU and European Parliament (EP);
  • any opinions issued on the proposal by the EP, the Committee of the Regions (CoR) and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC);
  • the submission of any amended proposal to the Council;
  • Council decisions or debates (these usually occur in the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs, or EPSCO, Council);
  • any Council-Parliament conciliation proceedings;
  • final adoption (or formal signature in the case of social partner agreements); and
  • any formal consultation of the social partners - the EU-level "cross-industry" partners are the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), BusinessEurope (private-sector employers), Ueapme (small and medium-sized enterprises) and Ceep (public-services employers).

Proposals that have been adopted in the past six months are identified with an asterisk.

Employment conditions

Subject

Legal base

Current position

Consultation of the EU-level social partners on review of Directive 2003/88/EC concerning certain aspects of the organisation of working time. First-stage consultation - COM (2010) 106. Second-stage consultation - COM (2010) 801/3.

Art.154.

Earlier attempt to revise Directive, launched in 2004, failed in April 2009. On 24 March 2010, Commission launched first-stage consultation of social partners, seeking views on possible comprehensive review of Directive aimed at identifying which provisions need to be adapted, simplified or clarified to take account of developments in the length and distribution of working time. ETUC and BusinessEurope responded in June, with differing views on key issues such as the opt-out from the 48-hour maximum week. Second-stage consultation launched on 21 December 2010, with Commission suggesting either a focused review of the Directive (dealing with on-call time and compensatory rest for missed daily and weekly rest periods) or a comprehensive review (also dealing with matters such as the opt-out from the 48-hour week, greater flexibility, work-life balance, autonomous workers, multiple contracts and paid annual leave). BusinessEurope, ETUC, Ceep and Ueapme stated that they were prepared to negotiate over an agreement on revising the Directive and in June 2011 BusinessEurope formally offered talks to ETUC. ETUC confirmed its willingness to negotiate, but on a wider range of issues than identified by the employers. Social partners finally announced in November that talks would start in December, with a planned deadline of September 2012. In August 2012, in response to a joint request from the social partners, the Commission agreed to extend the deadline until 31 December 2012. However, the negotiations broke down without agreement in mid-December. After lengthy consideration of its next step, the Commission announced in June 2014 that it plans to issue a new proposal to amend the Directive in 2015. The aim is to clarify and simplify the current rules, and update them to meet challenges arising from new working patterns. The new European Commission that took office on 1 November 2014 has stated that a detailed impact assessment should be completed in the first half of 2015. The Commission will then seek a consensus with the EP and Council on "adjusting the EU rules", building on lessons learnt from the previous unsuccessful attempts to revise the Directive. On 1 December 2014, the Commission launched a public consultation as part of the review process, seeking views on the impact of the current Directive and its possible future development, and on specific matters such as on-call and stand-by time, compensatory rest, reference periods, the opt-out, working patterns and sector-specific issues. The consultation closes on 15 March 2015.

EU Quality Framework for anticipation of change and restructuring. COM (2013) 882 final.

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Some kind of substantive and binding EU-level instrument on managing the employment consequences of company restructuring has been mooted since the early 2000s, and several rounds of inconclusive social partner consultations were held on the subject between 2002 and 2005. The Commission revived the issue in 2010 and announced a new consultation on a code of conduct on anticipation and management of change and restructuring. The consultation was scheduled for 2011 but did not occur. Instead, in January 2012, the Commission launched a general public consultation on the subject. The Commission then scheduled a first-stage formal consultation of the social partners on an EU framework for anticipating and managing change and restructuring for 2012 and again for early 2013, but subsequently dropped the proposal from its planning documents. In January 2013, the EP adopted a resolution requesting that the Commission issue draft legislation on anticipation and management of restructuring. On 13 December, the Commission issued an "EU Quality Framework for anticipation of change and restructuring", as a follow-up to the 2012 public consultation and as a response to the EP resolution. The framework is a non-binding set of principles and recommendations on good practice in the anticipation and management of restructuring, aimed at employers, employees and their representatives, and at the public authorities. The framework deals with issues such as avoiding redundancies, and informing and consulting employees. The Commission calls on the member states to support, disseminate and promote the wide application of the framework, and urges all stakeholders to cooperate on the basis of the document's principles and practices. The Commission will monitor the framework's application and, by 2016, assess whether or not it needs to be revised. This process will also establish whether or not "further action is necessary, including a legislative proposal". There is thus no prospect of the Commission proposing binding EU-wide action on restructuring before 2016.

* Council Directive 2014/112/EU of 19 December 2014 implementing the European Agreement concerning certain aspects of the organisation of working time in inland waterway transport, concluded by the European Barge Union (EBU), the European Skippers Organisation (ESO) and the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF). OJ L367 of 23 December 2014.

Arts.154 and 155.

The EU-level social partners in the inland waterways sector - the European Barge Union (EBU), European Skippers Organisation (ESO) and European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) - signed an agreement on 15 February 2012, adapting the Working Time Directive (2003/88/EC) to the specific circumstances of their industry, in areas such as maximum daily, weekly and annual working time, rest periods and rest days, and night work. The partners asked the Commission to propose a Directive making the agreement legally binding across the EU, thereby exempting inland waterways from the general Working Time Directive. After some delay, the Commission issued a proposal for a Directive on 7 July 2014. On 23 October, the EP adopted a resolution supporting adoption of the Directive. On 11 December, the EPSCO Council reached a political agreement on the proposal, enabling formal adoption of the Directive on 19 December. Member states must implement the Directive by 31 December 2016.

European agreement on implementation of 2007 International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention on working conditions in fishing.

Arts.154 and 155.

On 21 May 2012, following talks that began in October 2010, the EU-level social partners in the fishing industry - EuropĂȘche, Cogeca and the European Transport Workers' Federation - signed an agreement on implementing the ILO Convention on working conditions in the sector. The Convention sets minimum standards in areas such as conditions of service, repatriation rights, accommodation, food, health and safety, medical care and social security. The social partners asked the Commission to propose a Directive making the agreement legally binding across the EU. Following discussions with the Commission, the partners signed an amended version of the agreement in May 2013 and renewed their request for an implementing Directive. The Commission is assessing the amended agreement before issuing a draft Directive, and such a proposal does not currently feature in the Commission's planning documents.

Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on seafarers, amending Directives 2008/94/EC, 2009/38/EC, 2002/14/EC, 98/59/EC and 2001/23/EC. COM (2013) 798 final.

Art.153(2). Co-decision procedure.

Commission issued draft Directive on 18 November 2013. The proposal would repeal provisions in five EU Directives that exclude seafaring workers from the coverage of these Directives, or permit national governments to exclude these workers. The Directives concerned are those on collective redundancies (98/59/EC), transfers of undertakings (2001/23/EC), information and consultation (2002/14/EC), employer insolvency (2008/94/EC) and European Works Councils (2009/38/EC). The aim is to guarantee seafarers the same rights, notably in terms of information and consultation, as other workers. The Italian EU Presidency of the second half of 2014 initiated Council discussion of the proposal and agreement on a "general approach" was announced at the EPSCO meeting on 11 December. EP first reading scheduled for May 2015. The Latvian EU Presidency of the first half of 2015 is continuing work on the proposal, with a view to opening negotiations over an agreement with the EP.

Equality and work-life balance

Subject

Legal base

Current position

Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on improving the gender balance among non-executive directors of companies listed on stock exchanges and related measures. COM (2012) 614 final.

Art. 157 (3). Co-decision procedure.

Commission issued draft Directive on 14 November 2012. The proposal seeks to ensure a more balanced representation of men and women among the non-executive directors of listed companies. It sets the objective of a 40% presence of the currently under-represented sex among non-executive directors, to be achieved by 2020 (2018 in the cases of state-controlled undertakings). Companies that have a lower share (less than 40%) of the under-represented sex among their non-executive directors would be required to make appointments to those positions on the basis of a comparative analysis of the qualifications of each candidate, applying clear, gender-neutral and unambiguous criteria. Given equal qualification, priority would have to be given to the under-represented sex.

The UK Parliament has objected that the proposal does not comply with the EU subsidiarity principle, as have several other national parliaments. The Irish EU Presidency of the first half of 2013 sought to take forward Council work on the proposal. It reported to EPSCO Council on 20-21 June that significant progress had been made, with all member states in principle in favour of improving gender balance on company boards. However, some prefer national measures while others support EU-wide legislation. The Lithuanian EU Presidency of the second half of 2013 sought progress on the draft Directive, but the EPSCO Council on 9-10 December was told that further work and political reflection will be required before a compromise can be reached. The Greek EU Presidency of the first half of 2014 gave priority to the proposal, but reported to the EPSCO Council on 19-20 June that no agreement had been reached, with opinions continuing to differ sharply on the best way of achieving the proposal's objectives. The Italian EU Presidency of the second half of 2014 tried to take forward the negotiations, but reported in September that at least eight member states, including the UK, still oppose the draft Directive. Because some governments oppose EU legislation that could interfere with existing national arrangements, the Italian Presidency sought consensus over the inclusion of a "flexibility clause" that would enable member states to maintain these arrangements if they meet certain conditions. The Presidency hoped for Council agreement on a general approach before the end of 2014, but it announced at the EPSCO meeting on 11 December that no deal had been reached. The Latvian EU Presidency of the first half of 2015 is continuing work on the proposal.

EESC Opinion on 13 February 2013. CoR Opinion on 30 May 2013. EP gave draft Directive first reading on 20 November 2013, proposing strengthening amendments.

Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 92/85/EEC on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health at work of pregnant workers and workers who have recently given birth or are breastfeeding. COM (2008) 637 final.

Arts.153(2) and 157(3). Co-decision procedure.

Commission issued draft Directive amending Directive 92/85/EEC on 3 October 2008. Proposals included increasing minimum maternity leave from 14 to 18 weeks and giving women on leave entitlement to full pay. EP gave first reading on 20 October 2010, proposing major amendments such as 20 weeks' maternity leave on full pay, two weeks' paid paternity leave, adoption leave and time off for breastfeeding. Most member states opposed the EP amendments and debate in EPSCO Council became deadlocked during 2011. Following a lengthy impasse, the Commission announced in June 2014 that it was likely to withdraw the proposal. At an EP debate on 15 July, MEPs responded by calling on the Council to resume talks on the proposal with the EP. The new European Commission that took office on 1 November 2014 has indicated that it is ready to reopen discussions with all parties concerned. At the EPSCO Council on 11 December, the Italian Presidency stated that it had held informal contacts about the proposal with the EP and explored the possibility of reopening discussions. The Presidency concluded that 20 weeks' maternity leave on full pay remains unacceptable to the Council and is an unrealistic basis for further discussion, and that flexibility from the EP is required if progress is to be made. In its 2015 work programme, the Commission states that, if no agreement is reached in the first six months of the year, it will withdraw the proposal and replace it with a new initiative.

Health protection and safety

Subject Legal base Current position

Consultation of the EU-level social partners on musculoskeletal disorders at work.

Art.154.

Commission launched first consultation of social partners on 12 November 2004, seeking views on whether or not further initiatives were needed in this area. Social partners in agriculture sector reached agreement on reduction of workers' exposure to risk of musculoskeletal disorders on 21 November 2005, partly in response to consultation. Second consultation launched on 14 March 2007 and ended in late April. Commission is planning to propose a single Directive incorporating existing provisions on musculoskeletal disorders at work (currently found in Directives 90/269/EEC and 90/270/EEC). The proposal, originally due in 2011, was rescheduled for 2012 but had not been issued by the end of the year and did not feature in the Commission's planning documents for 2013. The Commission announced in October 2013 that it would not issue a proposal during its term of office (which expired in October 2014). The new Commission that took office on 1 November 2014 has not yet stated its position on the issue.

Consultation of the EU-level social partners on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in the workplace.

Art.154.

Commission launched first consultation of social partners on 19 December 2008, seeking views on whether or not EU action is needed. It set out options for both binding and non-binding initiatives on workplace environmental tobacco smoke, including a possible Directive prohibiting smoking at work. Consultation ended in February 2009. In their responses, BusinessEurope opposed new EU legislation and ETUC supported the idea. Second-stage consultation was planned for 2011 then rescheduled for 2012, but had not been issued by the end of the year and did not feature in the Commission's planning documents for 2013. The Commission announced in October 2013 that it would not issue a proposal during its term of office (which expired in October 2014). The new Commission that took office on 1 November 2014 has not yet stated its position on the issue.

European framework agreement on the protection of occupational health and safety in the hairdressing sector.

Arts.154 and 155.

The EU-level social partners in the hairdressing sector - Coiffure EU and UNI Europa Hair & Beauty - signed an agreement on 26 April 2012, on their own initiative. It sets out an integrated approach for the prevention of risks and protection of health and safety in hairdressing, in areas such as: use of materials, products and tools; protection of the skin and respiratory tract; musculoskeletal disorders; working environment and work organisation; maternity protection; and mental health and wellbeing. The partners have asked the Commission to propose a Directive making the agreement legally binding across the EU. There has reportedly been opposition to such a Directive from some national governments. The Commission was scheduled to issue a proposal in 2013 but in October announced that it would not do so during its term of office (which expired in October 2014). This failure to issue a draft Directive to implement a social partner agreement is highly unusual. The new Commission that took office on 1 November 2014 has not yet stated its position on the issue.

Information, consultation and participation

Subject Legal base Current position

Possible consolidation of three Directives on information and consultation of employees.

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In July 2013, the Commission published the generally positive findings of a "fitness check" of the framework Directive on employee information and consultation (2002/14/EC), and the Directives on information and consultation over collective redundancies (98/59/EC) and transfers of undertakings (2001/23/EC). Based on these findings, the Commission believes that a consolidation and "recast" of the Directives in a single information and consultation Directive might strengthen the coherence and effectiveness of the EU legislative framework in this area. It planned to consult the social partners on this idea in 2014, but this did not occur and the initiative is now scheduled for 2015.

Proposal for a Council Regulation on the Statute for a European Foundation (FE). COM (2012) 35 final.

Art.352. Consultation procedure.

Commission issued in February 2012 a draft Regulation creating a European Foundation (FE), a mechanism that would allow public-benefit foundations to operate on a European scale. The proposal contains employee involvement provisions, providing for the establishment of European Works Councils in FEs to inform and consult employees and volunteers. EESC Opinion on 18 September. CoR Opinion on 29 November. EP adopted resolution, proposing amendments to the draft Regulation, on 2 July 2013. Council discussions got underway in 2013 and on 20-21 February 2014, the Competitiveness Council was given a progress report, indicating that the required unanimity had not yet been achieved. The Italian EU Presidency of the second half of 2014 continued Council work on the proposal, and drew up a compromise text on which it hoped that agreement in principle could be reached by the end of 2014. However, no such deal was achieved. In its 2015 work programme, the Commission states that it will withdraw the proposal because there is no prospect that the required Council unanimity can be reached.